Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 4.

Last week was hugely successful for our school community with our musical production, Aladdin Jr, at Roo Theatre. Congratulations to the production team, cast, crew, staff and the many parents/carers who have assisted in what was an absolutely outstanding production. Thank you, especially to the Creative Directors, Ms Angela Boyd-Skinner and Mrs Catherine Sutton for bringing this show to life and allowing the cast and crew to really shine. Thank you to the amazing St John's staff for their willingness to commit to providing such an enriching opportunity for our students. Special thanks also to the many parents who assisted the production team over the last few weeks. Together, it has been an incredible team effort. I am so very grateful to everyone for their commitment, dedication, and support in providing such a wonderful experience for our students. I could not be prouder of our students and the wonderful school community and what has been achieved.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the official opening and awards ceremony for the CEDoW Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition at the Wollongong Art Gallery. The Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition is an initiative of the Catholic Education Offices in Wollongong and Sydney, designed to celebrate and explore children's creative and artistic ability in illustrating the Christmas story. Well done to Temperence (6B), Millicent (5B) and Isabelle (5R), whose artworks were selected to be on display in the exhibition. Congratulations to Temperence (6B), who was awarded as a finalist to progress to the larger Sydney Archdiocese Competition and Exhibition. Thank you to Mrs Scales, who has worked with and supported the students in the completion of their artwork and written responses. The artworks on display in the Wollongong Art Gallery can also be view here: 2023 CEDoW Christmas Story Art Exhibition Virtual Gallery. The artworks and the student reflections are truly amazing.

The construction of the new shade shelter on the Fr Ward Playground has been completed. Providing sun protection to the seating area in this playground. The new shelter was funded by the Australian Government School Upgrade Fund following a successful grant application earlier in the year. The existing damaged shade cloth covering the Fr Ward playground was also replaced.

Kind regards,

Mr Matt Downes
Acting Principal

 
Canonisation of Mary MacKillop — Tuesday 17th October 2023

St Mary MacKillop was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on October 17, 2010. Thirteen years on, we remember and reflect on what the canonisation of Australia’s first saint means to us.

Creator God,
We thank you for the life and canonisation of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
She taught us that you understand us better than we understand ourselves.
May we trust as Mary did, being mindful of your loving presence in all we do.
Living today with Mary’s words, leaning on you and trusting in your providence.
Amen.

October — Month of the Rosary 

The month of October and May is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, one of the best-known of all Catholic devotions. Praying the Rosary allows us to encounter Mary and to enter the mysteries of Jesus Christ. From his Incarnation, to the Cross, to the Resurrection, we come to understand that God has revealed himself and saved us.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, continue to inspire us to a life of discipleship.

October — World Mission Month

This year, Catholic Mission’s World Mission Month focuses on Pope Francis’ World Mission Sunday message, ‘Hearts on fire, feet on the move’. The October appeal highlights the burning passion that drives missionaries around the world to take action for a more just world. Through Catholic Mission, we are invited to journey with the people of Timor-Leste this year and support their work in providing life-giving services to the local community.

One of Australia's closest neighbours, Timor-Leste is a small island republic just under 700kms from Darwin, which shares its western border with Indonesia. The country secured its independence from Indonesia in 2001, after an oppressive and violent occupation. Today, the scars still linger as the people grapple with the effects of poverty, low quality healthcare and infrastructure, corruption and inequality. It is why the presence of missionaries like the Salesian Sisters, especially in regional parts of the country, is so important.

St John’s will be participating in a Colour Run to help raise awareness and funds to support Catholic Mission in the amazing work they do. A Compass alert was sent out to all families yesterday with further details.

School fundraising page:

https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/StJohnsSchoolDapto

Parent helper google form: Colour Run 2023 Parent Helper Form

 
Weekend Mass — Saturday 28th October, 5 pm

This term, we would like to especially welcome our Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) students and their families — but of course all students and their families are welcome — to our Parish Mass on Saturday, 28th October at 5 pm, followed by a BBQ. Andrew Chinn, a well-known composer and performer, will be playing and singing with us. We would love to have as many of our families as possible joining us. We hope you can make it. 

Could you please fill in this form indicating whether you are able to attend the Mass and BBQ, to assist us with catering purposes: 

 
Dates for your diary

Prayer Intentions

We pray for all children who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist.
We pray for the people of Timor-Leste and those in Catholic Mission trying to help them.
We pray for all families in our school community who are in need of our prayers.
We pray for the needs of our country and our world.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
St John the Evangelist, pray for us.

Kylie Stephens
Religious Education Coordinator

PB4L is an evidence-based framework that emphasises school-wide systems of support for all students and staff. These include proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviours. Positive behaviour supports are implemented for all students, across all school settings, by all staff, at all times. This continuum of support ensures students’ academic and social outcomes.

All student behaviour expectations are founded on our three school rules – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.

This year our school is participating in a Colour Run fundraiser for Mission Month. The Colour Run will take place on Friday 27 October from 1:00 pm.

Students are encouraged to wear a white T-shirt, old pants and closed-in shoes as they will be covered in non-toxic colour powder and slime by the time they reach the finish line. The students who catch a bus home need to bring a change of clothes with them for the end of the day. It is a fun and effective fundraiser because of the excitement and anticipation that builds in advance of the event.

Students are encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends and relatives for Catholic Missions.

Click here if you can assist on the day

Rides Night

Our Rides Night is nearly here! It's going to be a fantastic night of fun and entertainment with our school community!

Here’s what you need to know:

Our Rides Night is on 10 November from 4pm – 8pm within our school grounds! Friends, family and community welcome. We will have a variety of rides, face painting, hair braiding, temporary tattoos, show bags, market stalls, food trucks and a Chocolate Wheel! Our Chocolate Wheel will be cash only and has over $5,000.00 worth of donated prizes! Matilda’s Farm will also provide a petting zoo for all ages!

Some activities will be cash only so bring your coins and notes. Food Trucks will generally have Eftpos available. A single ATM will be available onsite.

Feel free to bring a picnic blanket or chair to sit back and relax whilst watching the festivities! As there will be community members present, parents and carers are expected to ensure appropriate supervision of their children on the night.

Presale Ride Bands available at $35.00 each (cash only) outside the library between the hours of:

• Monday 6 November 8am – 8.30am and 2.15pm – 3.00pm
• Tuesday 7 November 8am – 8.30am and 2.15pm – 3.00pm
• Wednesday 8 November 8am – 8.30am and 2.15pm – 3.00pm
• Thursday 9 November 8am – 8.30am and 2.15pm – 3.00pm
• Friday 10 November 8am – 8.30am and 2.15pm – 3.00pm
• *After 3pm — 10 November, Ride Bands will be $40.00 each.

How can you help?

If you are able to volunteer your time in support of the Rides Night, please complete the Google doc form below.
 
Any questions, please email pandf@sjjdow.catholic.edu.au.

Congratulations to all those who contributed to St John's production of Disney's Aladdin Jr.! Feel free to download and enjoy the available photos.

Starting school is an important milestone in any child and family’s life. Research suggests that children who have a positive start to school are more likely to engage well in their learning and school life. Here at St John’s, we are hoping to nurture this positive start by offering a transition to school program that will include informal playgroup sessions as well as formal orientation opportunities.

Playgroup

Playgroup will take place from 9:00am – 10:00 am and 11:30am – 12:30pm in the school hall (McCabe Hall) and COLA on the following dates.

• Tuesday 24 October
• Thursday 26 October
• Tuesday 31 October
• Thursday 2 November

Families are encouraged to have their child attend as many playgroup dates as possible to help them prepare for school. While the children play, parents/carers will have opportunities to gather information, ask questions and meet staff.

Orientation

Following playgroup, more formal orientation sessions will be held to provide parents/carers with more detailed information about starting school and the routines of school life. These sessions will be compulsory for all parents/carers and children.

• Thursday 9 November, 9:00am – 11:30am (Parents/Carers and Children)
• Thusday 16 November, 9:00am – 11:30am (Children only)

Information has been sent to all families with registration details. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

The process for student class placement will commence early Term 4. If there are any special considerations or concerns that parents/carers feel the school should take into consideration, please put them in writing and email them to Mr Downes (downesm01@dow.catholic.edu.au ) no later than Monday, 30 October. 

Please note that this is not the opportunity to request friendship groupings or specific teachers for your child. While all requests will be noted and discussed, final decisions on placements will be made following careful consultation with teachers. Requests received after Monday 30 October, will not be considered.

If you know that your child will not be returning to St John’s in 2024 (not applicable to Year 6), would you please notify the school, in writing, as we require this information to assist with our planning for the new school year. 

The school bag is available for purchase from Poppet's School Wear and Lowes, Dapto Mall. The cost of the bag is $65.00 and is of high quality and features our school crest. For your convenience, a sample bag is on display in the school office. The school bag is compulsory for new enrolments and encouraged as a more cost-effective and long-term option for current families.